Salix and Surin
Subject: Turn
Ok I am working on Salix and Surin right now. I expect it will be early afternoon before I get the turn done.
From: Porter
Subject: Ally and Mund
OOC: Excellent job. This is awesome.
IC: "Well, I am mighty strong, so I guess it's only fair. If he's willing, I'm game. I'll just have to make sure he don't have to drink much, neh?"
OOC:
Mund know that his brother's as tough as they come, and doesn't worry too much about him being able to stand up to the drinks. But if it gets to the point where it's getting too close to Alley's threshold for comfort, Mund will definitely be willing to use up his rages for the day in order to win the arm wrassling.
From: Mark
Subject: Ally and Mund
That was what I was planning on doing. However, Mund should win his share of arm wrestling matches by himself. He might even want to through a few early on.
From: Porter
Subject: Ally and Mund
Definitely. :)
From: Mark
Subject: Ambassadors
I was going back and keeping track of some of the NPC's the party has met and found something wierd.
The original write up for Elspeth has him from Tornado. I have no idea where I got that country from. It should be Fornax. The description is correct.
So to review the Ambassadors
Calieri of Camlost
Tripin of Undulant
Elspeth of Fornax
De Blum of Byho
From: Mark
Subject: Salix and Surin
The halfling and the half elf move out to the merchant district. For the first hour or so the two walk through the main market place. Merchants of all kinds line the streets. The merchants are mainly dwarves with a few half elves and humans thrown into the mix. Salix, with Surin in tow, takes the time to talk with many of the vendors. While they start out professional but non-committal at first, after a few minutes of Salix turning on the charm most of them start to warm up. Salix finds that his travels and broad exposure to the natural world helps him to talk to the merchants about the materials that make up their goods. A few of the merchants mistake Surin for Salix's son until they get a closer look. The halfling takes it in stride.
The two buy a few trinkets here and there. Salix is able to work out a good deal on a nice wool cloak for himself and a wool cap for Surin. The two spend a second hour doing much the same as the first, but this time the druid concentrates more on the dwarven merchants. He finds one that seems to have really opened up to the ½ elf and the halfling. The dwarf, called Doli, runs a shop that sells small pieces of worked iron. The work is exquisite, even if it is done in iron. Salix picks up a small rose, no larger then his thumb and talks to Doli about how the dwarven trade system with other countries works.
"Well" says the dwarf "most of my trade is with Byho. We send them the ore, they smelt it down into iron bars, for a price of course, and then ship the bars back to us. We make things out of the iron and then sell the items to traders who peddle it around the world. Most of the apprentices in my shop make basic things like nails and hinges, pots, horseshoes; commodity trade items. Most shops are like mine but we sell to different traders. These guys go out in the world, wherever they think they can get the most profit, and sell our goods."
"Sometimes we trade for things we can not make or grow here. For example Fornax has a lot of agriculture, so we get fruit and vegetables from them. Not that I'm against a good fungus soup, but now and then a dwarf likes a good stew. We do the same with meat. Undulant has a large number of ranches and we get most of our meat from them. Of course we trade with people from around the world, but those three are our closest neighbors, even if they are not always the nicest people."
As they continue talking Salix also finds out that all dwarves serve a minimum 80 years in the dwarven army, usually from the age of 45 until they are 125. During this time they serve in a 5 year cycle: 2 years off, 1 year in prep/reserve, 2 years active duty. Once a dwarf is over 125 he or she can stay in the army as a volunteer if they want. This allows families and clans to run businesses with out too much interruption. There are a total of 5 dwarven armies, any two of which are on active duty at one time, with another in reserve and two more that can be called up in a time of war.
OODM: A bunch of stuff just got dumped on me. I will write more later.
From: Kevin
Subject: Salix and Surin
OOC: Mark, does Salix see any types of animals running around they way you would in a normal town? Cats, dogs, rats, etc.? Anything in particular subterranean? Moles, etc?
Just in case he needs to wildshape in the future he would know what type of animal, if any, would not stick out.
My guess is birds would stick out underground.
From: Porter
Subject: Salix and Surin
Bats?
From: Mark
Subject: Salix and Surin
Dogs yes, cats no, bats yes. There are some other animals. If you mean domesticated types, then not much beyond dogs. If you mean wild, he has not seen too many, but he has seen signs of snakes and other typical underground animals.
From: Bryan
Subject: Salix and Surin
Does Surin see any sign of an organized underworld? This doesn't seemto be the area, but there might still be signs of such a group (afterall, where the money is, organized underworld generally appears)
From: Porter
Subject: Mund and Ally
Allistair should also feel free to exaggerate his intoxication.
From: Josh
Subject: Harp and Kal
OOC: How long does the blessing last for?
Harp and Kal, pt 1
Subject: Out and about
I will cover that in the turn I am writing but it is 1 hour/leve, or 4 hours for Harp.
From: Mark
Subject: Surin and Salix, pt 1
He has not seen any yet.
From: Mark
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt 1
As the two figures head out to the military practice grounds they can sense the stares of the dwarves the pass. The two make an odd couple: The pale skinned elf and the dark ½ orc. Harp towers a foot or more over Kal and is easily double his mass. A few dwarf children point at the two as they walk the stone streets, but the two hardly seem to notice. Kal wonders how he could have a friend as good as Harp. He was a ½ orc, his parentage should have meant he was damned but here he was. A member of the one of the most respected forces for law and good in the world and a solid companion in battle. Kal smiles to himself, knowing that Harp had proved his worth time and time again.
"So" Kal asks Harp "how long does this blessing last?" "Several hours" is Harp's reply "should be long enough for what we need to do. We aren't fighting to the death here, remember that." Harp gives Kal a hard look and the elf laughs and slaps Harp on the back "Don't worry. With you along how much trouble can I get in?" Harp grunts and Kal thinks he hears the ½ orc whisper under his breath "Famous last words". The two continue on to the work out area.
A few minutes later the two stroll into the training area. Harp glances around and sees the dwarf he had worked with the day before. He walks over and greets the dwarf "Hey there Bordin, how are things today. This is the friend I told you about yesterday." The dwarf takes a look at Kal and turns back to Harp "You didn't say nothin about your friend being no elf. First I got to put up with you, but at least you can take it. This puny guy? He'll get broken in half at the first bruise. I mean look at him." Bordin looks Kal up and down, a frown on his face. "He's skin and bones. My youngest weighs more than he does." Bordin goes on for a few more minutes, walking around in circles, listing all the deficiencies of the elven race.
Kal starts to get annoyed but Harp holds up a hand, indicating that Kal should forebear. When Bordin finally stops to take a breath Harp breaks in smoothly "You made similar comments about me yesterday and I did ok, right? I told you there was more to my friend than meets the eye. Give him a chance, just like you gave me one yesterday." Bordin looks up at the two, still grumbling "Oh what the hell. I haven't hit any elves in years. But don't blame me if he gets broken. Harp pulls Kal over to the side while Bordin gets ready and chants his spell of shielding "Ok there you go" Harp tells the elf.
Bordin signals Kal to move to the center of the practice ring. The dwarf is carrying a dwarven war axe in one hand and a large wooden shield in the other. He signals for Kal to advance into the circle.
OODM: How does Kal want to fight the dwarf?
From: Mark
Subject: Dwarven axe
The axe does have a wooden contraption on it that blunts the edges. It still looks like it could break bones but at least it would not cut off a limb.
From: Randy
Subect: Christmas
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I will not be online much for the next 10 days. Ran will go along with whatever Ragnar asks of him.
From: Kevin
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt 1
Harp gets Kal's attention and whispers "Don't kill him, just show him who the better fighter is. Take your time though, I'm gonna try to get a little wagering going on the side. Nothing like takin the payoff in a couple a drinks to get someone on your side"
OOC: Mark, if there are any dwarves standing around, Harp will try to get a little wagerin going, using Kal slight frame and elf background to build it up. No serious insults, just enough to goad them a little.
From: Josh
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt 1
Kal has a practice tip for his rapier in one of his pouches, he'll affix that before stepping into the ring.
I should get something out tonight. (Famous last words).
Ran and Ragnar, Pt1
Subject: Ran and Ragnar
Ragnar puts on his finest clothes and asks Ranthir to do the same. Soon the two are ready for their meeting with the Steward. They ask the guard outside of their rooms for directions and he summons another dwarf warrior to guide them. It takes them almost half an hour to walk to the Steward's office. It is located high in one of the walls that makes up the central open region of the city. The two sit on stone benches along with about 50 other dwarves and the occasional human and ½ elf.
Ragnar sits quietly but after half an hour Ranthir starts to fidget "How can you sit so calmly?" the half elf asks. Ragnar gives a good natured laugh "Years of training on the religious side of the Order. I understand stand that you had several years of training on the martial side of the Order?" Ran nods "Yes, back when I was younger. Then my Mother died and I blamed my father. So I left the Order and went to live with my mother's parents down in the elven homeland. I had not been back until Harp came to tell my father was ill."
Ragnar shakes his head "I find it odd. You and I have such differing views of the Order. I wonder if it is because you grew up so close to them that you can not see what they stand for. I find myself having a bit of the same problem with the dwarves. My family and I were taken from them when I was young and I was not returned to them until I was in my mid 30's. I had been a slave for a tribe of orc's and a paladin of the Order is who set us free and returned us home. That man always fascinated me. So I learned more about Heironeous than I did about the traditional dwarven gods. I left the warrens of my home 5 years later and came to the Chapterhouse. They welcomed me in and I have been there ever since. That was 25 years ago. I know you and your father have grown a bit closer since your return. I hope that maybe I can grow closer to the people of my birth while we are here."
OODM: I will write more tomorrow.
Mund and Ally, pt 2
Subject: Mund and Ally, pt 2
Very well written :)
Salix and Surin, pt 2
Subject: Salix and Surin, pt 2
Salix hopes that he has been able to make friends with the dwarven merchant. He buys several small but wonderfully crafted items. The price is steep, but after talking with Surin the druid thinks he has gotten a good value. "Doli" Salix asks when he has made his purchases "would you mind joining my friend and me at the next meal? We are new to the Underkingdom and would love to learn more about your people. I am a druid of the Great North Woods but have never really had a chance to talk to dwarves about their world underground."
Doli thinks for a bit. "You two seem like nice folk. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a meal with ya. Mind if I invite a friend?" Salix lets him know that a friend is welcome and they set a time to meet in a local pub a few blocks away. Salix and Surin spend the next couple of hours browsing through a few more stores and show up at the pub a few minutes early. Salix is surprised to see Doli already there along with another dwarf. This dwarf is much older, her beard going white. She is also dressed in leather instead of the common mail shirt that most dwarves seem to wear out in public. Doli introduces the lady as Agrana, an old friend of his.
Surin and Salix order some food as do the two dwarves. The four talk casually for the next hour or so, with the halfling and the ½ elf relaying some of their past adventures to the two dwarves. They do not tell many specifics, but they talk about the locations they have been. It takes Salix a while to realize that Agrana has been quietly interrogating them. Salix shuts up, realizing that he has told her more than he had planned. Salix had not sense any wrong in the questions she asked but was disquieted that he had not been a bit more reserved.
As Surin tells a story about the circus he grew up in Salix notices that Agrana has drawn a design in the potato mash on her plate. It takes Salix a few seconds to realize that he recognizes the design. It is not complete but Agrana is looking at him intently. A bit hesitantly Salix takes his knife and reaches over to her plate. There, in the potato mash, he completes the figure, the symbol of an oak leaf. The dwarf lady looks up at him and smiles "Welcome, Brother."
OODM: I will write more later.
Salix meets a friend
Subject: Salix meets a friend
A bit shocked, Salix fumbles as he says "Greetings, Sister. My apologies. I had not expected to find one of our order here." Salix is unsure of what to say, especially in front of Doli.
From: Mark
Subject: Salix meets a friend
Agrana smiles "Why not? However, we are not of the same Order. I belong to a different druidic line, but one compatable with yours. I have hosted several druids from the Great North Woods in my days. Mountain Father Flint even spent a year here once. Now there was a man. If he had only been a dwarf."
"In fact I recieved a message from him some weeks ago telling me to keep an eye out for you. That is one of the reasons Doli brought me to you. I have some followers here in the warrens. We are not officialy allowed to exist, but as long as we stay quiet and out of the way, the powers that be leave us alone."
"Flint said that we should offer what help we could. What are your needs?"
From: Kevin
Subject: Salix meets a friend
Frowning, Salix considers her words. He did not sense deception in her, but he was unsure how much to divulge.
"My needs are few. A chance to see the sun once in a while would be nice. But, I would also like to learn about the deep places. I understand that it can be dangerous and that an experienced guide would be appropriate. Do you know of anyone who might be willing to be that guide?"
From: Mark
Subject: Salix meets a friend
"There are many guides depending on where you want to go. Some places are more dangerous than others. Some are harder to reach."
From: Kevin
Subject: Salix meets a friend
"Some of us were interested in paying "respects' to King Dar. Maybe we could perform a small service near where he met his end. Would this be somewhere you could lead us?"
Harp and Kal, pt 2
Subject: Harp and Kal, pt 2
Kal puts the practice tip on his rapier while Harp whispers "You have any problems with us making some cash on this?" The elf shakes his head "Not as long as I get half." Harp smiles "Remember that night in Boddentown? How your dance made you almost impossible to hit? Do that again." The elf nods and Harp moves off towards the small but growing crowd of dwarves. Kal signals to Bordin and the two advance into the combat circle.
As in most combats like this the first few minutes are not really serious. Each person is trying to figure out the reach and skill of the other. Most attacks are feints and parry s, testing the foes basic speed and reaction time. Harp uses this time to move over to the watching dwarves and make a few bets. "10 gold says your guy never lays a blade on the elf. Several of the dwarves quickly accept Harp's bet and they turn back to watch the fight.
Bordin prowls around like a cat, his axe light in his hand. While Kal has never used such a large and unwieldy weapon, he is able to recognize fine craftsmanship when he sees it. Kal centers himself and he starts to hear the battle song in his head. The tip of his rapier starts to weave and bob in rhythm only the elf can hear. Kal starts moving back and forth, flowing to the music only he hears.
Bordin, deciding he has spent enough time testing the elf, moves in for some serious combat. The dwarven axe swings in a bright arc, right for where Kal is standing. But the elf is not there. (AC28, 10+11=21, miss). Bordin stumbles a bit as his axe swings beyond where he had expected. Kal's rapier snakes in and touches the dwarf on the back, the wooden tip making a loud dinging noise on Bordin back plate."One" says the elf. The dwarf tries a backhand swing, hoping to catch the elf off guard, but Kal is too quick (AC28, 7+11=18, miss) and the elf twirls away, slapping Bordin on the helmet as he goes. "Two" is the call from Kal.
Bordin turns and gathers himself again. With a roar he charges forward, his axe swinging low at the elf's legs. Harp grimaces, knowing that even with the guards on if the axe blade connects the elf will likely have broken legs. However, Kal sees the blade flash and jumps over the axe (AC28, 13+13=26,miss) just barely missing the blade. This time his rapier clangs against Bordin's breast plate as the elf spins behind the dwarf. "Three" exclaims the bladesinger. Bordin stumbles forward, swinging his axe behind him, hoping to surprise Kal. No such luck. The axe blade does not come close (AC28, 2+11=13, miss) as Kal waltzes out of the way of the blade, his rapier slapping Bordin on the right forearm as the dwarf spins around. "Four" is Kal's call.
Bordin growls and hefts his axe again. He stomps forward and launches another flurry of blows (AC28, 10+11=21,miss). Again the elf spins out of the way just as the dulled blade of the axe flies through where he had just been. Kal spins and as he moves around Bordin he slaps the dwarf on the left forearm yelling "Five". A groan goes up from the gathered crowd as they realize that their dwarf has been defeated.
OODM: I will write more tomorrow. I am going to a UD ballgame to watch them play Pittsburgh in basketball. Kevin and I have tickets.
Salix meets a friend, cont
Subject: Salix and Surin, pt 2
At Salix's words both Doli and Agrana frown. Doli looks like he is very upset but the female druid lays a calming hand on his arm "They do not know our ways. But I am surprised that Flint has not included this in your education. We of the Underkingdom do not name our dead. It is considered bad luck."
Salix winces at the social faux pas he has just commited. "I am sorry for my statement. Please forgive me. It was not my intention to offend." Agrana seems molified but Doli still seems to bear some resentment.
"Paying respects to the fallen is a worthy deed" says Agrana. "It is usually done at the temple but it is not unheard of for people to do this at other sites important to the fallen. Would it be just you and the halfling? Flint's message mentioned a larger group."
Agrana
Subject: Agrana
"There may be others who wish to go. We are part of a larger group, but I do not want to offend by having a large group stumbling through the tunnels. I think maybe four of us would go. Would that be alright?"
From: Mark
Subject: Agrana
"Four would attract less attention. When would you want to go?"
From: Bryan
Subject: Agrana
Surin doesn't have much to add, he just attempts to remember as muchas possible about all of the parties, and to watch for eavesdroppers...
Ran and Ragnar, pt 2, Happy New Year
Subject: Ran and Ragnar, pt2
Ran nods "You've given me something to think about. Let's hope this Steward does not give us too much time to think." He smiles at the dwarf and Ragnar returns the smile. It is another half hour before the two are called before the Steward. A short dwarf, dressed in fine cloth comes out into the waiting room "Ragnar and Ranthir, representatives of the Order of the Silver Sword?" The two raise their hands and the dwarf gestures to them "I am the Second Assistant to the First Steward. Follow me. You will have five minutes to discuss your needs with the Steward." The two nod and follow after the short dwarf.
Five minutes later the two find themselves in an opulent office. Most of the furniture is sized for dwarves, but a single chair of human size has been place with a dwarven chair in front of the large desk at one side of the room. Ragnar and Ran advance towards the chair and see an old dwarf sitting behind the desk. His hair is white and his beard is long and white. His desk sits on a raised part of the room, so that even though he is much shorter than Ranthir, he looks down on the two. He looks up at the two when they take their seats and says in a brusque voice "I am the first Steward and I am busy. What do you want?"
OODM: I will let Jason and Randy role play this.
From: Mark
Subject: Happy New Year
I just wanted to send out a note to all of you to thank you for another great year in Kalevan. We are entering our 4th year of play. I hope every one has enjoyed themselves and continues to enjoy themselves in the game.
I have lots of stuff planned for the next several years.
From: Jason
Subject: Ran and Ragnar, pt2
"Then I shall be brief, Steward. I am Ragnar of the Order of the Silver Sword, and this is Ranthir. Centuries ago, our order entrusted an enchanted gemstone to the King of the Dwarves of World Spine Mountains against a time of need. We came hoping to speak of it with he who was king previously, with whom the order always enjoyed good relations. Seeing as how King Barden now holds that position, we now also wish to greet him on behalf of the order with the hopes of continuing what has always been a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship. In short, we seek an audience with King Barden at a time of his convenience."